Dickson to lose seat as defection gamble to One Nation fails

STEVE Dickson's gamble in defecting to One Nation has failed leaving him holding just 36.77% of the notional two-party preferred count.

He went into the campaign hoping to emerge as leader of a party that could demand a seat at the table in a minority LNP government but has been left without a place in parliament and with One Nation falling well short of its intended impact.

The LNP's new representative Brent Mickelberg has prevailed with more than 63% of the two-party vote but remained reluctant on Sunday to claim victory.

"Obviously it's very positive," he said. "But our of respect to the other candidates I won't claim until there is a declaration or a concession."

Mr Mickelberg said the electorate had been let down by Mr Dickson's actions in defecting to One Nation but would now expect him to get on with the job.

Whether in government or opposition he said he would take a collaborative approach to achieve the best he could for the electorate.

Mr Mickelberg said it was clear that LNP values aligned with those of the electorate.

He thanked his campaign team saying they had had to work hard because it was never easy to remove an incumbent.